Westley Thomas, a native New Yorker, was born in the Bronx and raised on Staten Island. After high school in 1965, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Vietnam in 1966-1968. In April 1967, he received a Letter of Appreciation from Commanding General Robertshaw for serving as a member of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing’s Contingency Reaction Force, who responded immediately to an airplane crash in a populated village in the Hoa Vang District Quang Nam Province in Vietnam in December 1966. In 1969, he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. In 1975, he joined in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves 6th Communication Battalion, Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, until 1977. He received several military awards and medals.
He has a B.A. in Dramatic Arts from the College of Staten Island. Besides writing, now he dedicates his time volunteering to help veterans as an Advocate for Veterans Rights. He was awarded The Council City of New York Proclamation for his outstanding service to veterans in New York City and across the nation. He is a Life Member of DAV, VQLAN, VVA, and Member of the Marine Corps League.